EYMET vs AFGHAN TIGERS, Sunday 17th June ....match 1 of 2 x T20

Report

Smash, bang, wallop!

Eymet welcomed the self-styled ‘Afghan Tigers’ from Perigueux. They turned up with rather natty tracksuits, turning the heads of Eymet’s fashion-conscious youngsters. It was agreed that two proper (if that’s the word) 20/20 games would be played. After various call-offs, David Horlock taking a penchant for umpiring, and Colin Goodall keen to rival Bill Frindall, Eymet took the field with only 9 men. Big Roland Marshall ambled in from the town end and castled the Afghan opener first ball! However, from there, Arif and Irfan swished merrily, playing pleasantly in the ‘V’ between mid-on and extra cover for various fours and sixes. They took the total to over 50 before the experience of Tim Chancellor tempted Arif into an unwise stroke caught by Enayet. Owais Mohammed removed the next man immediately but Irfan continued to score freely, the Afghans rising to 102 off 12. Then the skiddy Ahmed Jewel slowed the scoring somewhat and Nigel Jones wiped out the middle order. As a result, the Afghan Tigers didn’t push on and closed their innings on 120.

Eymet were rather surprised by the pace and accuracy of the Afghan openers, one of whom had a rather slingy, Malinga-like action. Nevertheless, Adnan continued where he left off last weekend, ably supported by Parneet who, once over early jitters, began to strike the ball cleanly. They took the total to 40 off 7 before Adnan departed caught. Ahmed and Parneet took it to 66 before Ahmed was LBW. Owais hit a six before being caught by an amazing overhead effort by the keeper, Irfan. However, things were going well, with only 30 required off 6. Then the wheels came off. Parneet was caught off the returning Zahid for 38 and a lot of cavalier ‘air shots’ were played where nurdling for ones or twos would have been the better option. Overs 14 to 18 were fatal as Eymet only managed 11 runs. Azizul then went for 12. In the end, 13 off the last over proved too much for Nigel Jones and Enayet.